Sunshine Coast local recognised for 25-year service to community
Esteemed Sunshine Coast philanthropist Jocelyn Walker AM has been appointed as a
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in today’s King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List for her
for significant service to business and to the community through philanthropic endeavours.
The prestigious recognition especially celebrates Ms Walker’s 26-year involvement with the
University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) Foundation Board and her contributions to
LifeFlight, Queensland’s leading community helicopter rescue service.
Mooloolaba local Ms Walker said it has been a privilege to contribute to the wellbeing of
others in her community wherever possible.
“I feel truly honoured and humbled to be recognised in this way and thank the Sunshine
Coast community for their incredible support over the years,” Ms Walker said.
“I have spent 45 years living, working and raising my family on the Sunshine Coast, and I
love this region and its people greatly.
“I feel privileged to have been able to help with projects and causes that make our region
better and bring our community together – whether it’s the myriad of benefits world-class
education brings, or ensuring life-saving services like RACQ LifeFlight are there when our
community needs them most.”
“With the LifeFlight Sunshine Coast rescue base conducting one to two missions on average
every day, the work I do with their team has allowed me to witness firsthand just how crucial
their service is in saving lives, and I’m proud to stand behind their mission.”
Deputy Chair LifeFlight Australia Stewart Morland said Ms Walker’s dedication to LifeFlight
and the wider community has been exemplary.
“Whether as our Vice Patron, as the inaugural Chair of the LifeFlight Sunshine Coast and
South Burnett Regional Advisory Committee or as a Company Member, the passion and
energy Jocelyn brings to these roles is clearly driven by her commitment to making our
community better,” Mr Morland said.
“We have now drawn upon her rich history of philanthropic support for the Jocelyn Walker
Visitor Experience Centre as part of the new LifeFlight Aeromedical Hub due for completion
by June 2025. This centre will enable LifeFlight to continue its strong tradition of welcoming
all members of the community to our facility.”
In Ms Walker’s capacity as a Foundation Board member with UniSC, she was involved in
initiatives such as the Building Excellence Campaign, which included the construction of the
Health and Sport Centre, the University Aquatic Centre and the Art Gallery.
“It truly has been a privilege to contribute to these important projects as I now see the
University as a catalyst for prosperity in the region, achieving its vision of enriching our
region, connecting with our communities, and creating opportunity through world-class
education and research that I am proud to have played a part in,” Ms Walker said.
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said Ms Walker has
contributed greatly to the University’s early successes.
“As a vocal advocate for the University, she continues to influence and shape philanthropic
opportunities for UniSC,” Professor Bartlett said.
“Over the last three decades Jocelyn has inspired others to give of their time and resources
creating a sustained benefit to the greater Sunshine Coast community, a legacy that will
continue well into the future.”
The Jocelyn and Vic Walker Legacy Scholarship is a bi-annual $20,000 scholarship
available at UniSC that supports school leavers with demonstrated academic excellence
and a commitment to make a positive impact in the community.
Ms Walker was awarded the UniSC Chancellor’s Stole in 2019 – which has only been
awarded twice to date – for her extraordinary philanthropic contributions to the University
and is also an Honorary Senior Fellow, Vice Chancellor & President’s Circle member and
Chancellor’s Associate at the university.
Alongside her late husband Vic, Ms Walker first established the iconic 24-hour self-service
roadhouse, ‘Moby Vic’s’, in 1980, which became a fixture along the Old Bruce Highway in
Glenview before relocating to both sides of the newly opened Bruce Highway at Glass
House Mountains in 1988.
As well as raising their son and daughter here – who both still call the Sunshine Coast home
– their ventures included a 65.6 hectare housing estate in Mountain Creek and the
construction of the 13-storey ‘Cartwright’ high-rise near Point Cartwright’s lighthouse.
Ms Walker is also Patron Oriana Choir and her philanthropy extends to a number of worthy
causes and not-for-profits including Wishlist, SunnyKids, STEPS Group, Wildlife HQ, the
Buderim Foundation, Headland Golf Club, Orange Sky Laundry, the Sunshine Coast Arts
Foundation, and the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Foundation.
For the past twenty years, Ms Walker has also been a member of the Women Chiefs of
Enterprises Qld Division, a global network dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs.
